| Bethany Dieckhoner (left), Frank Weaver and Katie Sanderson star in "Annie." (Photo: Andrew Weber/Sentinel-Tribune) |
PERRYSBURG – For a show about orphans, The Perrysburg Musical Theatre’s production of "Annie"
has a lot of family involved.
Both girls cast as America’s beloved orphan have sisters in the cast, and one’s mother joins her on
stage.
And having a community standby, such a retired high school choir director Pam Williams-Rumer as the
villain Miss Hannigan helps as well.
"Everyone loves her," said Jody Madaras. Many in the cast "had her as a teacher," he
said. "They get to see her in a different light. … It creates a whole family dynamic."
A veteran theater professional Madaras shares directing and choreography duties with Kathy
Jaworski-Belsole for the musical that runs at Perrysburg High School June 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. with 2
p.m. matinees June 25 and 26.
Another Perrysburg High theater stalwart Terry Watson plays Rooster. Watson choreographed many shows at
Perrysburg.
"He’s more of a dancer," Madaras said. "He brings that physicality to the role. It’s fun
to watch."
For Oliver Warbucks he found Frank Weaver, who came in to audition for the part of the butler. But after
reading for that, Madaras suggested he try the lines for Warbucks. "It was just there,"
Madaras said.
A Rossford resident, Weaver has performed in a number of musicals. Though he was a bit hesitant about
taking so large a role, he was excited to be working with Madaras, a Broadway-caliber performer.
The key to "Annie" is the title character. With a wealth of young female talent, Madaras said,
the producers decided to double cast the show, giving two girls a chance to play Annie. They also double
cast other key orphan roles.
Playing the title role are Bethany Dieckhoner and Katie Sanderson.
While Katie has long wanted to play Annie, Bethany auditioned expecting to get cast as one of the other
orphans. Both girls sparkled in the auditions, making the directors’ decision a difficult one.
"These two girls happen to have the right stuff, an intangible quality I can’t explain
further," Madaras said.
Sharing the role has been fun for the two girls. Waiting back stage their words and giggles spill over
each others.
They didn’t know each other until rehearsals started, now they’re friends. They practice their dancing in
the hall, and Katie’s mother Carrie Sanderson, who plays Warbucks’ secretary Grace, has had principal
actors over to run lines.
"It’s fun working with all these different people," Bethany said.
That’s the kind of community spirit the new company engenders.
Carrie Sanderson was one of the inspirations. She’s been active in theater since high school where she
first played Grace. In late 2009 she and Katie were driving back from Monroe, Mich., where they were
involved in a community theater production of "Annie." Sanderson called Madaras, with whom
she’d worked on several shows, and asked why they couldn’t stage musicals in Perrysburg.
The seed for the Perrysburg Musical Theatre started to germinate.
Sanderson said it was "amazing" how far the company has come in such a short time, and how much
community support it has garnered. "It’s a labor of love."
The Perrysburg area has a wealth of talent, young and old, and the company will provide an outlet,
Madaras said.
Madaras scored a coup when he was able to get members of the Perrysburg Symphony Orchestra to serve as
the pit orchestra.
Having a live orchestra, Madaras said, "is unbeatable." The score has lots of tiny musical cues
that accentuate the stage action.
The troupe has staged a couple fundraising shows, the revue "Mostly Menken," celebrating the
work of Alan Menken, the composer for the Disney musicals and "All Hands on Deck," featuring
some of Madaras’ theatrical friends from around the country.
"Annie" is the company’s first full-fledged production. "It’s a great family friendly
American musical," Madaras said. "It has a wonderful story everyone understands."
How many shows will be done is uncertain, he said, though to be a viable company it has to be more than
one a year.
For the musicals, he’d like to stick to the classics. "More and more I lean toward
entertainment," he said. These shows with their songs and dance, colorful costumes and lighthearted
themes fit the bill. "We need to laugh more."
